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The Palm Planer (Product Code: PPM) features a 420W motor. This is about half the power of a solid regular sized power planer, but given that this tool does not take as much material off in a pass, due to its smaller blade and max depth cutting capacity, a larger motor doesn't seem warranted. MAKITA TD132DZ battery Plus, to have a small power tool such as this, you can't go too big in the power department, otherwise it is no longer a "small" tool. 420W of power proved to be more than ample for all cutting tasks I engaged the tool in. Even on full width planing passes at close to maximum depth in dense hardwoods, the PPM did the job with little trouble, although consideration to feed rate on harder woods needs to be taken into account. The PPM features a no-load speed of 14,000 RPM and combined with a two-blade cutterhead delivers smooth planing results with sharp cutters. The TCT cutting blades themselves are reversible so you get double the life out of them over a normal single-edged blade set. MAKITA TD133DRFX battery

The power controls are located in easy reach of the thumb and forefinger. MAKITA TD133DRFXB battery The switch lock release button is located up top (with the chevron markings). The power on/off button is located below and lateral to this. To power up the tool the top lock switch must be push down/forward and held there while the lateral on/off button is pressed to power up the tool. To turn off the tool you simply release the on/off button. The lock switch does not have to be held down/forward once the tool has been turned on. Both switches have a rubber mold grip for better grip/control. MAKITA TD133DRFXL battery

The PPM's body features a mix of light weight magnesium (belt drive cover, front control area) hardened plastic, MAKITA TD133DRFXP battery and rubber overmolds for grip and comfort throughout. Despite the light magnesium and plastic casing, the tool doesn't feel like a toy. It still weighs in at 1.9kgs, which does seem to be a comfortable weight in the hand. Not too light to feel flimsy and vibrate excessively in use, and not too heavy as to make it unmanageable (and dangerous) with single hand control. The whole tool features a smooth, slimline design. The motor housing, which is also where you grip the tool in the palm has a rounded barrel shape that easily contours to the curve of your hand as you grasp the tool. In fact, the tool is very comfortable to hold and use. MAKITA TD133DRFXW battery

A fully cast metal base is machined flat and was verified to indeed be flat by my shop straight edge. MAKITA TD134DRFX battery The fixed rear base is solid and flat while the adjustable front base features numerous (3) V-grooves to allow edge chamfering to be achieved. Each V-groove is milled at a different depth too for versatility, to mill a specific depth chamfer, or to use a different groove each time to even out blade wear by not using the same part of the blade with each pass. In terms of depth capacity, the PPM can remove up to 1.5mm of material with each pass. The adjustable front base and depth control knob allows changes in 0.25mm increments with click stops for each 0.25mm setting. Maximum cutting width is 60mm, about 22mm less than a conventional full sized power planer, but still more than enough for the majority of planing tasks, and certainly plenty for door edge planing and edge chamfering. MAKITA TD134DRFXB battery

At the rear edge of the tool is a dust extraction port where the supplied shaving adaptor tube fits. MAKITA TD134DRFXL battery You can use this to either guide shavings and debris away from the user, or to hook up a shop vacuum hose for more efficient extraction. In use the dust extraction port works reasonably well. I won't say very well as it can sometimes get clogged easily, particularly when taking full width passes on softer materials like pine. The curly shavings this softwood sometimes produces can block the port, particularly if you make a planing pass too quickly, not giving the tool enough time to efficiently remove the mass volume of shavings and debris it creates. The problem seems less evident on hardwoods, and almost non existent when chamfering or making smaller width passes. In these instances the dust port works a treat. MAKITA TD134DRFXP battery

A nice feature of this tool is the blade protection foot mounted on the back end of the rear base. MAKITA TD134DRFXW battery It is a little pivoting foot that lowers under gravity to provide clearance for the blade and cutterhead when the tool is put down on a work surface. This ensures the blade does not gouge your workbench, table or concrete floor (!!!) when the tool is placed down and the cutterhead is still spinning. It readily pivots up and out of the way itself as you make a planing pass and the edge of the timber pushes against the protection foot. This was a feature I first noted on some of Ryobi's power planers, and it has proved very useful and handy, both protecting your work surfaces and your blades from damage. Thumbs up for that inclusion on the PPM! MAKITA TL060DRF battery

In Use

In terms of use, the Palm Planer is not really used any differently to a full sized planer, MAKITA TP130DRFX battery except for that fact that is a one-handed-use tool. Planing technique is similar to a full sized unit; there are very few differences in this regard. While a planer like this can be used for a variety of different purposes, it tends to see most use in planing down door edges to fit a door opening, or to fix "stuck" doors or doors that have expanded over time and no longer close properly. MAKITA TP131DB battery

It is used for general width or dimension reduction on building or construction sites (in the woodworker's shop, MAKITA TP131DRFX battery this task is often done by a dedicated thicknessing machine). The quick and easy chamfering a power planer offers is often preferred over a hand plane or block plane by many, especially if your hand tools haven't received the sharpening attention they deserve in recent times! While the PPM can also cut rabbets on the edge of timber, it is not specifically designed for it (no rabbeting fence included) and these must be done somewhat free-hand to start off with, then there is a limited cut capacity for rebates because of the tools body design and shape. MAKITA TP131DRFXB battery

In terms of use and practicality, I think that if you already own a power planer, there may not be a lot to offer you in this smaller unit, unless you have a specific need or desire for a smaller portable power planer, or for one-handed use. If you do not yet own a power planer however, and are looking for a starter or smaller unit for all those odd jobs around the home, or for quick chamfering of edges, then the PPM would indeed fit the task nicely. MAKITA TP131DZ battery

Priced at around AUD$89 (street price as at February '07) it offers good value for money and basic features all packaged in a uniquely sized portable planer with magnesium casing. It will probably not satisfy a trade user, but is ideal for the DIY enthusiast, home owner or occasional carpenter. MAKITA TS130DRFX battery

Whether or not you dabble in metalwork, there are times when a metal cutting saw could come in handy. Whether it be building some storage out of steel tubing or building a jig to complement your woodworking tasks, a few basic skills in metalwork will go a long way. MAKITA TW152D battery

A recent project of mine was the construction of a chainsaw mill made out of RHS tubing. Naturally, this involved a lot of cutting tube to length, and while the handheld grinder would achieve the task, a dedicated metal cutting saw will make the job much easier, quicker, and more accurate. MAKITA TW152DRFX battery

The MX355C is a dedicated metal cutting saw, designed specifically for, you guessed it, cutting metal, unlike other types of saws that can be readily adapted for different cutting tasks, or for cutting different materials. MAKITA TW152DZ battery

The MX355C model is part of GMC's platinum line of power tools. The platinum line offers more durable construction and an extended two year warranty that covers commercial and trade use, not just personal home use. Let's take a look at the features of the saw... MAKITA BDF343 battery

Tech Specs and Discussion

The saw features a 355mm cutting disc. One comes pre-fitted to the saw out of the box. In fact, most accessories are fitted and ready to go. The disc bore size is 25.4mm (1 inch). This is a common disc and bore size, so finding replacement discs should be no problem at all. Most good hardware stores or trade stores will stock them. Juts make sure the disc is rated to spin at 3900 RPM, which is the speed the disc spins on this saw. The high RPM allows a smoother finish on the cut piece. MAKITA BDF343H battery

The disc is spun by a powerful 2400W universal motor, which is fixed in a direct-drive configuration. While most of the saw features all-metal construction, the motor housing is comprised on hardened plastic. This provides protection while not adding any unnecessary weight to the tool. There is plenty of power in the motor to tackle even the cutting of solid steel. As with any cutting task, let the blade do the work and the motor will generally have no problem keeping the blade/disc spinning. Even with a bit of excess pressure applied during a cut, the 2400W motor rarely missed a beat. MAKITA BDF343RHE battery

In terms of motor sound output, I couldn't find any value printed either on the tool or in the product manual or product page on the GMC website. However, I'd have to guess it would be up around the 90-95 dB level, similar to my 2400W miter saw. At these levels, hearing protection is a must, so be sure to use a good set of earmuffs, or suitable ear plugs whenever using this machine. MAKITA BDF343RHEX battery

The main drop handle houses the power controls, and it too is of hardened plastic construction (like pretty much all drop-type saws these days), MAKITA BDF343SHE battery however, rubber overmolds on the handles add comfort and grip. The power controls are simple but safe. To start the saw, push the round lock-off button lateral to the trigger in, then pull the trigger and the saw starts up. To stop the saw, just release the trigger. Fairly basic stuff. Bear in mind that, for safety, you should wait until the cutting disc has come to a complete stop before placing your hands near the disc, or before removing the cut material from the saw. Also note that freshly cut material, particularly around the cut area is extremely hot. So use either proper metalworking gloves or wait until the metal has cooled before handling it. MAKITA BDF445RHE battery

The drop action of the saw is quite smooth. Not the best I have ever felt on a drop saw, but given these saws are not really an ultra-precision machine, the drop action needs only really be smooth enough to make a fluent cut. Lateral movement of the saw head when dropped is minor. There is some movement, but again, any movement introduced by the user when lowering the saw head doesn't have much of an effect on the cut result. The actual cutting disc will flex much more during a cut, particularly when cutting through thicker or wider materials... it's simply the nature of the beast on these type of machines. MAKITA BHP343RHE battery

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